HOW TO CARE FOR BLEACHED HAIR

I’ve had bleached hair for about 8/9 years now. For the first 5 years I didn’t really look after my hair. I was dying it semi-permanent colours constantly, using heated styling tools everyday and overtime it sadly killed my hair. I used to be able to sit on my hair until one day it started breaking off; I would be going about my daily routine and I’d find hair EVERYWHERE! Luckily for me, it was only breaking off from my shoulders down, so I still had a good amount of hair length. That was when I got the chop and I’ve been short to medium length hair ever since. Since my hair broke off, I started to care for my hair a lot more. I began using hair masks and shampoos and conditioners that were meant for repairing damaged hair. One range of hair products I used which I found amazing was Schwarzkopf Fibre Force’s range; this really helped get my hair back to a good condition after the breakage. And once I felt my hair was back to life, I started a regime of weekly hair masks and only using products for bleached hair. Before I used to buy whatever shampoo or conditioner was on offer in Tesco’s; I know, not the best! Having bleached hair isn’t easy, and you’ll understand if you have it.

My hair was back to normal a few months after the breakage and I didn’t have anymore problems until about 2 years ago. The top layer of my hair started breaking off from just above my ears! I was absolutely gutted when it started breaking again, as I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. After a lot of research I put it down to the overlapping of bleach. You should never really overlap bleach too much, but obviously because I do my own bleaching at home and I’m not a professional, I overlap it to make sure I’ve covered all of my regrowth. I think I must have overlapped the bleach too much and it started to cause breakage. I knew I had to get back into using stronger products once this happened, however it’s taken me until about 6-8 months for my hair to get back to a better condition. In that time I tried lots of different products and found that the following really helped:

OUAI Repair Shampoo and Conditioner // I use these every time I wash my hair, which is every 3 days. These products replenish moisture and fortifies breakage-prone strands—leaving hair stronger and shinier than ever.

StriVectin HAIR Conditioner for Colour Treated Hair // The best thing about this product is the smell! It’s gorgeous and the scent stays in your hair for days. This products focuses on protecting and fortifies over-processed hair strands, helps defend against colour fade and seals in moisture to resist future damage from colouring.

Olaplex // You’ve probably heard of this changing the bleaching industry. If you’re going to get your hair bleached in a salon, make sure you ask them to put in Olaplex; it’s been created so it repairs the condition of your hair whilst bleaching, and it means the hairdresser can achieve a much lighter bleach than normal, as the bleach can be left on a little longer. You can also get Olaplex treatments in salons which is what I have done recently, and then you take home a little pot where you continue the treatment in your own home for the next few weeks. I have definitely noticed a difference by using this.

System Professional Repair Mask // This is my favourite mask to use as it’s a deep strengthening one. My hair is weak, so I need to focus on rebuilding each strand. Salons also use this product, so it’s a great one to get your hands on.

They’re just a few of the products that help me care for my bleached hair. There are so many more on the market, but it all depends on the condition of your hair. If your hair is dry and brittle, then you’re lacking in moisture and have too much protein. Make sure you focus on using moisture masks and shampoos and conditioners to build up the moisture back into your hair. My hair is the opposite though. My hair is soft, silky and goes like chewing gum when wet; this means my hair has too much moisture in it and not enough protein. I try and steer away from too much moisture. You need to try and rebuild whatever is in lost in your hair, however be careful because you don’t want your hair to go the complete opposite. Hair in a good condition will be balanced with moisture and protein.

how to care for bleached hair

Other ways in which I care for my bleached hair is to try and restrain from using heat everyday. On the days when I’m working from home, I just pop my hair up in a ponytail and leave it. It’s good to give your hair a break. I also try and not sleep with wet hair too often and if I have to I pop it up in a braid. I find that when I sleep with my hair wet, that’s when it breaks off as my hair is like chewing gum; so when I toss and turn in the night it’s breaking off whilst rubbing against my pillow. Wearing a silk hair wrap or having a silk pillow is a great way to care for your hair when you sleep at night.

If anyone has any questions about caring for bleached hair, then please do leave a comment below and I will do my best at getting back to you. I also have a HAIR CARE Q&A up on my YouTube channel with more information.

how to care for bleached hair

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